Earth mover



1946- H. w. ROCKWELL 2,394,483

EARTH MOVE-R Filed May 26, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

N \D Harvey W R0 ck we Feb. 5, 1946. H. w. ROCKWELL EARTH MOVER Filed May 26, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTOE/VEY Patented Feb. 5, 1946 EARTH MOVER Harvey W. Rockwell, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, assignor to La Plant-Choate Mtg. 00., Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a corporation of Delaware Application Mar 28, 1943, Serial No. 488,799

3 Claims.

My invention relates to earth movers of a typ shown in the application of Ellsworth W. Austin. Serial No. 413,930, filed October I, 1941, entitled Earth mover." My invention is particularly concerned with an earth mover in which improved arrangements and dispositions of the varlous operating instrumentalities are obtained and in which the operating mechanism, for example, cable, is more beneficially disposed than normal y.

It is an object of my invention in general to improve earth movers.

Another object 01' my invention is to provide an earth mover in which the main frame, main bowl, front apron and pusher have an improved inter relationship.

Another ogct of my invention is to provide an earth movir in which the front apron h'as an improved mounting.

An additional object of my invention is to provide an earth mover in which the operating eables are protected from earth in the earth containing mechanisms.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an earth mover in which the operation of the interconnections between the pusher and the front apron is not disturbed by the load.

The foregoing and other objects are attained in the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the drawings, in which- Fls. 1 is an isometric view of one form of earth mover in accordance with my invention, the view being from a rearward corner looking downwardly and forwardly with certain conventional portions of the mechanism, notably the wheels and axles, being omitted for clarity in disclosure and some portions being shown diagrammatically.

Fig. 2 i an isometric view showing a modified form of my earth mover, the view being from one side looking transversely and downwardly, conventional portions of the mechanism, such as axles and wheels, being omitted to increase the clarity of disclosure and parts of the mechanism being shown diagrammatically.

In its preferred form, the earth mover of my invention comprises a main bowl and a yoke frame articulated for relative pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, the main bowl being closed at the rearward end by a pusher and being adapted to be closed at the forward end by a front apron. The pusher and front apron are inter-related by a connecting linkage and the front apron particularly is mounted on the yoke frame as distinguished from the main bowl. Operating means, such as cables, are provided and connected to the pusher and front apron mechanisms to insure the desired motion thereof.

Although the earth mover of my invention is disclosed herein in two equivalent modifications, the modification of Fig. 1 i especially adapted for machines in which a large proportion of the earth load is expelled by the pusher, and the modification of Fig. 2 is especially designed for machines in which a large proportion of the earth load is controlled by the front apron.

In the form of my invention disclosed in F18. 1, there is provided an earth mover which normally is supported on wheels, not shown, at the forward and rearward ends. The device is intended to be drawn by any suitable source of propelling power, not illustrated, but entirely standard. The earth machine includes a main bowl portion 8 and a yoke frame portion 1 which together can be considered to constitute the main frame of the machine, although herein the yoke portion I may be considered as the main frame. The yoke comprises a forward arch 8, at its front end supported on steering wheels, which merges with a transverse frame tube 9 terminating in a pair of side arms II and I2 extending rearwardly and downwardly. Each of the side arms ii and i2 is provided with a pivot pin l3 fastened to the adiacent one of the side walls It and it of the main bowl 8 so that relative pivotal movement between the frame I and the main bowl takes place about a transverse horizontal axis coincident with the axes of the pins II. The side walls II and it constitute part of the enclosure of the main bowl 6 and are joined by a bottom wall H which terminates in a forwardly and downwardly inclined cutting edge Ill. The side walls It and i9 and the bottom wall ll at their rearward portions are joined by brace members 19 and 2| which merge with a support beam 22 designed to be supported from the rearward wheels, not shown.

The rear, otherwise open end of the main bowl 6, is closed by a pusher 23 constituted of a suitably contoured assemblage of plates and reinforcements designed to rest partly on rollers I at the lowermost extremities of the pusher and running upon the bottom wall II of the main bowl. From each side of the pusher 23, which rises above the tops of the side walls i4 and it, extends one of a pair of support tubes 26. each of which is joined to an adjacent one of a pair of depending arms' 21 and 29 which lie outside of the adjacent side walls It and I6.

The mechanism attached to each one of the arms 21 and 29 is identical except for reversed symmetry, so that only but one side of the mechanism is described. To the depending arm 28, for example, there is fastened a link bar 29 by means of a pivot pin 3i. The link bar 23 is likewise connected by a pivot pin 32, not only to a pair of rollers 33, but likewise to a guide 3!. The guide is adapted to run on and within a channel 38 provided in the side arm l2 of the yoke frame I, so that when the pusher 23 is advanced and retracted within the main bowl, the guide 34 and the rollers 33 are translated in a rectilinear path to and fro along the side beam i2.

Also mounted on the pivot pin 32 is one end of a triangular side arm 31 which at its forward end merges with a cross tube 38 forming the upper boundary of a front apron 39, constituted by a curved sheet adapted when lowered to close the forward Otherwise open end of the main bowl 6. The other point or apex of the triangular side arm 31 is connected by a pin 42 to a link 43, extending forwardly and Joined at its foremost ends by a pivot pin 44 to cars 46 upstanding from the side beam l2.

The described mechanism is effective when the pusher 23 is moved forwardly, for example, to advance the side link 23, to advance the rollers 33 and the guide 34, and to move the triangular side link 31 so that its apex 42 moves in an are about the pin 44 as a center as defined by the link 43, whfle the front apron 39 is correspondingly lifted or opened. Reversely, when the pusher 23 is moved rearwardly from forward position, the link 29 moves rearwardly likewise, the rollers 33 and slide 34 move rearwardly or downwardly along the side member 12, the apex pivot 42 is moved downwardly in an are about the axis of the pin 44 and the front apron 39 is correspondingly closed. Thus. the pusher 23 and the front apron 39 partake conJointly of suitable motions.

The movements just described would not be effected by relative movement between the yoke frame and the main bowl if the axis of th pin l3 and the axis of the pivot pin 32 were coincident. That is, where raising and lowering of the cutting edge I3 is not to be accompanied by pusher and front apron movement, the pins l3 and 32 are disposed coaxially.

But it is preferred to locate the pins l3 and 32 with spaced or non-coincident axes. When the pin 32 is spaced above the pin l3, as shown, and the cutting edge I! is lowered, the pins 3i and M are both in effect at fixed radial distances from the axis of the pin l3. Thus the pin 32 is made to advance the slide 34 on the yoke frame and lift the front apron with respect to the cutting edge. In practice, the pivot points are so chosen that a sufllcient apron opening accompanies lowering of the cutting edge for normal purposes, without any forward movement of the pusher which is urged into rearmost position by the weight of the apron. Under this condition the brace member l3, or any other suitable member, serves as a stop for the pusher 23.

When the cutting edge is raised, the pusher is still held in rearmost position by the weight of the front apron, the lower edge of which finally abuts the raised cutting edge. The amount of apron motion thus produced can be any desired amount from zero when the axes of the pins I3 and 32 are coincident to a maximum when such axes are spaced a maximum distance part and thus motion is distinct from the concurrent apron and pusher motion occurring when the pusher is advanced and retracted.

In order to produce the several motions described, any suitable mechanism can be utilized and, for example, a cable mechanism is illustrated. This is normally operated by any suitable winch or power control mechanism, not shown. For example, there is a primary cable 3| which extends from a suitable operator-controlled power source around a pulley 52 and around a sheave wheel 53 into the interior of the arch 8. Within the arch the cable extends around a guide pulley I4 and emerges to pass around a guide pulley 56 at one corner of the fram 1. The cable then extends within the hollow side beam l2 and around a guide pulley 51 at the lowermost and rearmost extremity thereof. A corner guide pulley 58 then guides the pulley to a central guide pulley 59 mounted on the rear framework of the main bowl from whence the cable extends into and around a plurality of pulle assemblies BI and B2. The pulley assembly 6| is mounted on the bowl frame, whereas the pulley assembly 62 is mounted on a guide forming the transverse rear member of rearwardly extending pusher beams 64 and 36, respectively. The pusher beams at the forward end are connected to the pusher 23 and are suitably reinforced by angle members 61, while at their rearward end they merge with the transverse wall 63, carrying suitable guides 68 running in tracks 63 on the beam 22. The primary cable 5| after extending about the group pulleys GI and 62 is suitably dead ended on either one of the group.

Thus, when the cable 5| is tensioned the group pulleys BI and 52 are caused to approach each other, which means that the group 82 must move toward the group 6| thereby impelling the transverse connecting member 63. the beams 64 and 6B and the pusher 23 to advance toward the forward part of the machine. This motion is accompanied by motion of the linkages 23 and of the front apron 39 as previously described.

Also provided is a similar secondary cable II which is suitably reeved to extend around a pulley 12 on the arch 8 and also to extend about an interior pulley 13 within the arch. The emerging cable then extends around a corner pulley l4 and extends through the hollow interior of the cross tube 1, wherein is located a group 16 of pulleys. The cable passes around the pulleys of this group and also around the pulleys of an aligned group of pulleys 11 within the hollow cross tube 18 which joins the forward ends of the side walls l4 and I6, respectively. After having passed around the pulleys of the group I8 and H, the secondary cable ll passes around a guide pulley l9, thence through a hollow reinforcing channel BI fixed to the side wall I4 and emerging therefrom is guided around a pulley 82 on the cross beam 2 I. From thence the secondary cable 1| extends around one of a pair of pulleys 83 mounted on the rearward side of the pusher 23 and then passes around a corner pulley 84 on the cross member 2|. The cable then extends through the hollow interior of a side reinforcing channel 86 on the side wall l6, passes around a similar train of pulley groups, not shown but equivalent to and symmetrically disposed with respect to the pulley groups 16 and I1 within the hollow cross tube 1 and the cross tube 18, respectively. The secondary cable is then dead ended at a suitable point.

Operation of the secondary cable H causes the pulley groups 15 and 11 to approach each other when the cable is tensioned and the tension is also imparted to the pulley pair 83 so that a force is exerted upon the pusher 23, tending to retract or move it rearwardly. The tension is likewise transmitted to the duplicate puliey groups on the other side of the machine so that the tubes and I are caused to approach each other with equal force at their outer corners. During the tensioning of the cable 1I, the cable II is normally slacked If the pusher 23 remains in a single position, and hence by operating the cable H In tenslo the cutting edge It is raised; whereas, if the cable 'II is slacked and the cable BI is not operated, the weight of the mechanism will cause the tubes 10 and I to separate and the cutting edge III to drop.

When the cable 1| is tensioned, not only is a force exerted to lift the cutting edge I0. but also it is exerted to retract the pusher 23 through the operation of the pulleys 08. By careful regulation of the relative tensions in the cables 1I and SI, the operator can utilize the secondary cable II to return or retract the pusher after it has been moved into a forward position. The force exerted on the pusher isbalanced on opposite sides of the center line and the force exerted on the tube I0 is likewise evenly distributed laterally. Furthermore, the cables are not exposed in the vicinity of any load carried within the main bowl, so that fouling of the cables by the earth load or interference with their operation by contained material is precluded.

It is especially to be noted that the operating links 29, for example, and the links 43 are remote from any load within the main bowl, the interior of which is not encumbered by any moving operating mechanism.

In the form of the device shown in Fig. 2, the general arrangement is substantially the same, there being provided a yoke frame IOI connected by pivot pins I02 at opposite sides to the side walls I03 and I04 of the main bowl I06 which is provided likewise with a bottom plate I01. A pusher I08 closing the rearward portion of the main bowl is provided with side arms I09 depending externally of the side walls. Braces H0 join the side arms I09 rigidly to a pair of arms I II pivoted to guide or slide mechanisms H3 which operate in suitable guide channels H4 in side beams IIS of the yoke frame IN. The arms III are coaxially connected by pivot pins III with the rearward portion of triangular side arms III merging at their forward ends with a cross tube H9 forming the support for a front apron I2I designed alternately to close and open the forward end of the main bowl I06.

The upper part of each of the side arms III is connected by a pivot pin I23 to one end of a link I24 extending forwardly and at its opposite end I pivoted to the yoke frame IOI so that the motion of the pusher I08 is communicated to the front apron I2I and causes a comparable motion thereof. That is, as in the Fig. 1 mechanism when the pusher I00 is moved forwardly, the front apron I2I is raised or opened and when the pusher is moved rearwardly, the front apron is lowered or closed. In addition, whenever the cutting edge I21 is lowered by relative pivotal movement of the main bowl I00 about the axis I02 with respect to the yoke frame III, the links I24 are effective as the cutting edge is lowered to open or raise the front apron I2I.

In this modification, although the remaining structure as so far described is somewhat the same as described in connection with Fig. 1, still there is rovided no rearward guide for the pusher like the beam 00. Instead, the roller-subported pusher is held in its proper path by the rigidly connected members I08, H0 and III at oppositesldesoftheframewmchareinturn connected pivotaliy to the ri id. unitary. and relatively stiff apron.

Furthermore, the cable control mechanism is somewhat different. In this instance the yoke frame MI is designed to be articulated to a draft vehicle I3I. represented diagrammatically in Fig. 2, by means of a ball joint I43 through which power is transmitted from the draft vehicle to a pair of cable drums I34 and I34, respectively, each of which is controlled by the operator through a controller I31 and I30. Flexible connections I39 and I transmit the controlling impulses from an operator on the vehicle Iii to the drums I84 and I30 on the frame IOI. From the drum I34 a primary cable I42 extends around a pair of guide pulleys I43 and I44, respectively, to a traveling pulley block I40 arranged to run on a rail I41 extending transversely on the yoke frame IOI, At the opposite end of the stationary rail I41 there is arranged a stationary pulley block I40. Each of the blocks I40 and I40 is provided with a plurality of pulleys I40 and ISI respectively, and the primary cable I42 is respectively reeved therearound. The primary cable I42 then extends as indicated at I52 to a similar stationary pulley block assembly I54 and from thence to a traveling pulley block assembly I56 mounted on a second stationary rail I51. The primary cable then extends to a dead end connection I on the yoke frame.

When the primary cable I42 is tensioned, the movable pulley blocks I48 and I55 move on their respective tracks toward their opp ite stationary pulley blocks with equal tension thereon. The pulley block I56 is provided with a cable I59 extending around a guide pulley IiI to a suitable connection I02 on the link III. comparably, the movable pulley block I48 is connected by a cable I63 which passes around a guide pulley I64 to a similar connection on the opposite link III, not shown. There is therefore exerted equal tension on the cables I59 and IE3 whenever the primary cable I42 is tensioned and the links III are drawn forwardly, thus moving the pusher forwardly and raising the front apron I2 I. when the cable I42 is slack the parts can be restored to their previous positions.

A secondary cable "I extends from the drum I30 to one of a plurality of sheaves I13 mounted in a bracket I14 on the yoke frame IIII and also extends around a plurality of sheaves I16 mounted in a bracket III on a cross tube I18 joining the side walls I03 and I04 of the main bowl. From the pulleys I13 and after having passed around the pulleys I16, the secondary cable "I extends over a guide pulley I19 connected with the ores tube I I9 on the front apron and is dead ended as at IBI on the front apron. Since these connections are all central. the forces exerted on the front apron and on the connecting tube I10 and the supporting yoke IOI are all evenly distributed. When it is desired to lower the cutting edge I21 with respect to the yoke IN, the cable III is slacked and the pulley groups I13 and I10 separate. Conversely, when the cutting edge is to be raised, the cable "I is tensioned and the cable blocks approach and finely substantially meet. Also when the front apron I2I opens, it withdraws the secondary cable I1I from the pulley I16 so that when it is desired to return the front apron to its lowermost position, the cable I1I need only be tensioned. Since the front apron motion is accompanied by motion of the pusher I00, the effect is to restore thepushertoitsrearmostpositionwhenthecable H! is tensioned. By regulating the relative tension between the cables III and 2 an operator may completely manipulate the machine.

I claim:

1. An earth mover comprising a main bowl having side walls, a yoke frame pivoted in said main bowl. a front apron movably mounted on said yoke frame, a. pusher mounted on said main bowl to move between said side walls. arms on said usher disposed outside said side walls, and links outside said side walls connecting said push-- er and said front, apron.

2. An earth mover comprising a main bowl having side walls, a pusher mounted on said main bowl for translatory movement therein, a front apron mounted to move toward and away from said main bowl, arms on said pusher disposed outside said side walls, and like outside said side walls connecting said pusher and said front apron.

3. An earth mover comprising: a main bowl having side walls; a yoke frame pivoted on said main bowl; a slide member slidably disposed on said yoke frame; a pusher mounted on said main bowl for movement between said side walls and provided with arms overhanging said side walls; links pivotally connecting said arms with said slide members; a front apron movably mounted across the forward end of said main bowl provided with arms overhanging said side walls and pivotally connected with said slide members; and links pivotaliy connecting said latter arms with said yoke frame.

HARVEY W. ROCKWELL.

Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,394,483.

February 5, 1946.

HARVEY W. RUCKWELL It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered 81561); requiring correction as follows: Page 4, first column, line 6, claim 1,

for in sai read on said; and second column, line 1, claim 2, forliks read links and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this 21st day of May, A. D. 1946.

LESLIE FRAZER,

First Assistant Commissioner of Patents.

H! is tensioned. By regulating the relative tension between the cables III and 2 an operator may completely manipulate the machine.

I claim:

1. An earth mover comprising a main bowl having side walls, a yoke frame pivoted in said main bowl. a front apron movably mounted on said yoke frame, a. pusher mounted on said main bowl to move between said side walls. arms on said usher disposed outside said side walls, and links outside said side walls connecting said push-- er and said front, apron.

2. An earth mover comprising a main bowl having side walls, a pusher mounted on said main bowl for translatory movement therein, a front apron mounted to move toward and away from said main bowl, arms on said pusher disposed outside said side walls, and like outside said side walls connecting said pusher and said front apron.

3. An earth mover comprising: a main bowl having side walls; a yoke frame pivoted on said main bowl; a slide member slidably disposed on said yoke frame; a pusher mounted on said main bowl for movement between said side walls and provided with arms overhanging said side walls; links pivotally connecting said arms with said slide members; a front apron movably mounted across the forward end of said main bowl provided with arms overhanging said side walls and pivotally connected with said slide members; and links pivotaliy connecting said latter arms with said yoke frame.

HARVEY W. ROCKWELL.

Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,394,483.

February 5, 1946.

HARVEY W. RUCKWELL It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered 81561); requiring correction as follows: Page 4, first column, line 6, claim 1,

for in sai read on said; and second column, line 1, claim 2, forliks read links and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this 21st day of May, A. D. 1946.

LESLIE FRAZER,

First Assistant Commissioner of Patents. 

